XS Cafe Racer

[Triple]

My Yamaha Triple, a 1979 XS750SF 'Special' was originally bought by my Dad in 1992 to use as spare parts for the 1978 XS750E he had at the time.

I started rebuilding it when I was 16-17 as a project, which finished when I had just turned 19, not long after getting my open class licence.

I needed to chase up numerous parts from the USA as I just couldnt find the parts in Australia - many wreckers had just thrown everything out.

Had it rebored using pistons from an XS850 Triple, and started putting things together.

And waited for parts from USA including a seat and headlight, instruments etc etc...

(background is Dad's old XS750E which had a 'Henry Abe Big Bore Kit' - resleeved with pistons to make it 900cc)

I originally planned the bike to have big handlebars and sissy bar etc - cruiser style...

But I soon thought that was a horrible idea and painted it black with 'sports' bars, polished engine covers and wheels -

Would have been good to have a pic of it when I first got it running and registered and looked nice and clean - oh well.

 

[Triple]

Since then, I broke and repaired 2nd gear numerous times, replaced the clutch etc etc

Had an oil leak which I couldnt sort out so I got fed up and pulled out the motor and put in a spare which came from my grandad's '77 XS750E

Wheels painted, forks polished

Rebuilt my 850 motor (again) this time Crank linished, rods resized and rebushed with new crank/rod bearings, new primary chain, XS850 transmission and new clutch, bores honed, new rings, head ported, polished and shaved, new gasket kit. Also had it painted again and the covers polished up...

Put it back in the frame ran it in etc, and decided I wanted to rebuild the bike as a Cafe racer... Have plans for new paint, powder coat etc. Bought some clubman bars and put them on for the hell of it...

 

[Triple]

So now - AGAIN the bike has been pulled apart -
Wheels and fuel tank were soda blasted. Frame is getting blasted and powdercoated black. Fenders, fuel tank, side covers and rims are away getting painted in 2pak with some custom stripes I've 'designed'

Next on the list is to replace all the old bolts with stainless hex bolts, and I'm trying to find out if I can get a custom 3-2-1 Exhaust made up. Few things rechromed and lastly different Indicators and tail light.

Wheels soda blasted

Tank after being soda blasted, badge mounts fibreglassed and in etch primer

Sent a bunch of parts to the powder coaters including some parts for my 750E
Started fitting new stainless fasteners to some of the newly powder coated triple tree...

Engine back in the frame

Front wheel painted/detailed

New chrome on a few parts. Stand springs were zinc coated

Had the brake discs bead blasted, mounted them with new stainless bolts. Bit of braking once the bike is going will clean the discs up completely!

Also New Bridgestone tyres. Battlax front, Spitfire rear!

One of the best Ebay scores I’ve ever had! 36mm carbs from a ’96 Triumph Trident. Even came with a brand new Dynojet kit. Got them very very dirt cheap!

Bead blasted my sump, oil filter housing and final drive housing

 

[Triple]

Getting there……..

 

[Triple]

I was rushing to get it ‘finished’ for a Bike festival held in Perth/WA every year so I didn’t get it 100% but at least it was rideable………. Runs extremely well with the bigger, newer Triumph Carbs…. I’ve got the fully electronic ignition from an ’81 XS850 and with these carbs its so sweet and smooth!!

 

[Triple]

Still need to finish making a 3-2 exhaust using shorty megaphone mufflers, have a new seat made (this one doesn’t bother me really as I bought it as NOS in 2007) and lastly I’m going to put a set of wire spoked wheels on it! Just need a front from either an XS650 or SR500!

 

[Triple]

Heres a 'quick' list of what I've done/what the bikes got............ probably forgotten many things, but its an idea......

Powdercoated frame, swingarm, triple clamps, stands, batterybox, various other brackets
New wheel bearings and seals
Tyres - BT45 front Spitfire 11R rear
Wheels painted 2pak glasurit with polished spokes
New fork seals, polished forks, Emgo Gators
New swingarm bearings and seals
New steering head bearings and seal
Ace/Clubman handlebars
Turismo Grips
Rebuilt FJ1200 front master cylinder
Rebuilt and powdercoated brake calipers
stainless brake lines - custom
stainless HEL brake union bolts and bleed nipples
NOS XS750 Special Seat
Drilled and bead blasted brake rotors
Bead blasted final drive housing
MikesXS 335mm Monza Sport Shocks
XS650 rear tail light on modified rechromed mount
XS650 'euro' rear signal lights with new mounting rubber
Custom mounted Virago front signal lights with XS lenses
Sealed battery
Completely Rebuilt starter motor
Reworked wiring harness
Polished gauge rims with rechromed cups
rechromed headlight bucket
zinc 'gold' coated kick stand springs
new footpeg rubbers
Lots of stainless bolts
2pak glasurit guards, fuel tank and frame side covers

XS850 Oil cooler and filter adapter plate
Deep sump with extended pickup adapter
Rocker cover Air scoop
Complete XS850 transmission
EBC clutch plates with Barnett Heavy Duty springs
New crank/rod bearings
Resized and rebushed conrods
Rebore for XS850 pistons and rings
Head - 3angle valve job/port/polish/shave
Valves shimmed to XS850 specifications
New cam chain
All seals, clips and gaskets are new
New NOS primary chain
'81 XS850 Electronic Ignition
Motul mineral engine oil 20w-50

Motad 3-1 Exhaust
Henry Abe Airfilter
36mm Mikuni carbs fitted with dynojet kit (From '96 Triumph Triple)
Custom throttle cable to suit
New Carb to head rubbers

 

[valvesprung]

Usually I'd totally agree on the spokes but I really actually dig the mags on your bike!!! I'd actually much rather see a nice seat on there to finish the look. That bike would look great with a seat just built from all that foam into a 1-up.

Awesome work so far man the bike looks great!

 

[msimm43]

I agree on the wheels. The Mags work for me as well, but if you are going for spokes then I bet those would look good too.

I also agree on the seat. The "King and Queen" is not up to snuff with the rest of the bike. A low profile one up seat would be very nice.

Great work.

 

[Represto]

Looks great man. Toss up some photos with the new seat.

 

[zimm]

how's it run with those carbs really wake it up?

 

[JRK5892]

love what you did the the wheels man! great work!

 

[Triple]

Well I really love how I did the original rims too, and I wont be getting rid of them completely, I'd like a set of the spoked wheels for the more classic look, maybe for Show 'n Shines etc etc.
I've got a spare seat which I'll work on to make a single seat, but havent had the time lately - same goes with the exhaust!! But when its done I'll throw up some pics!!

how's it run with those carbs really wake it up?

Yep! the carbs are one of the best things I've ever bought for the bike! I still havent set the idle mixtures or balanced them, but the sound is great and it pulls pretty well. Might play around with jet sizes later on, but probably after I've finished the exhaust!



Cheers for the comments

 

[clutchslip]

sweet bike ,i like the wheels they suit the bkes style.a sportier seat would finish it off great.very nice build man

 

[MN_TX650]

Looks good man! I've got a cafe tail piece that would look killer on the bike ;o)

 

[BigBSBusa]

Glad to see you made it over from the Triple site. Still using your bike for lots of inspiration. Looks great!

 

[midnightcafe]

very nice build!!

 

[Swagger]

Bang on mate! I've got several of them that "one day soon" will get a rebuild!
A header with from one of Hinckley's Triumphs can be fitted up pretty easily too, may be a way for you to go with reference to a new exhaust....

 

[beater]

gotta vote mags too. Really a sweet looking ride, with the stock seat even. Great attention to detail.

j